Moody Gardens penguin celebrates milestone birthday

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- Happy birthday to Wagner the penguin! The Moody Gardens resident turned 32 today, making her the oldest chinstrap penguin in North American.

Chinstrap penguins typically live to their mid-20s.

"We attribute Wagner's longevity to the excellent care that she and all the animals receive here at Moody Gardens," said Diane Olsen, Assistant Curator as she referenced the high standard of animal care established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation.

Wagner celebrated her big day with a meal of krill and fish.

Wagner arrived at Moody Gardens in 2003 as part of a program with Sea World San Diego. The program is designed to promote breeding in order to diversify the penguin collections at institutions around the country.